Most of the VA loans I work on are for service members and families at Cannon Air Force Base, and one of the questions I hear is, "What happens if life throws me a curveball after I buy?" That's why a recent VA announcement caught my attention.

On June 15, 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs formally launched the VA Partial Claim Program. It was created by the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act and gives Veterans with VA-guaranteed mortgages one more option to avoid foreclosure after a financial hardship.

How VA says it works

  1. Your mortgage servicer identifies borrowers who are behind and may qualify.
  2. Qualified borrowers start a three-month trial payment plan to show they can stay current going forward.
  3. After the trial is completed successfully, the servicer pays the overdue amount to bring the loan current, and VA reimburses the servicer for that amount.
  4. The amount becomes a partial claim that is repaid when the loan is paid off, refinanced, or the home is sold.

Timing to know about

VA has told servicers they must fully implement the VA Loss Mitigation Waterfall and Partial Claim Program by November 28, 2026, so availability can vary from servicer to servicer until then. If you're struggling with a payment, don't wait. Contact your servicer right away and ask which options they can offer. VA loan technicians are also available to help at 877-827-3702.

The takeaway for buyers

This is a servicing program, which means it matters after closing, but it's good to know that VA-backed loans come with more than one path for borrowers in hardship. If you're a Veteran, active-duty member, Guard or Reserve member, or surviving spouse thinking about buying near Cannon AFB, I'd be glad to talk through the VA loan process from first call to closing and answer any questions about what comes next.

This post is general information, not legal or financial advice. Eligibility and availability are determined by VA and your loan servicer.